Student Spotlight: Josh Berman

Josh Berman chose to study music later than most, but his love of jazz and dedication
to honing his craft has led to a successful career as an improvising jazz musician.

The Chicago resident spent the early part of his schooling at College of DuPage, studying
under music Professor Tom Tallman and Choral Director Lee Kesselman. Those humble
beginnings were the starting off point for Berman, who didn't decide to learn an instrument
until age 19.

"I had never played anything other than campfire guitar chords," Berman said. "I just
loved jazz and improvised music. When I got to COD, I took music theory classes and
trumpet lessons -- I certainly didn't know my scales and had even less piano experience."

He's garnered national attention through his work with the Emerging Improvisers and
Umbrella Music, non-profit organizations in Chicago that promote jazz and improvised
music, and was recently featured in October's Downbeat magazine.

While the trumpet and cornet player laughs now at his start, he said he was compelled
to learn and felt encouraged at COD. He described COD's musical diverse student body,
musicians with many different skills sets coming together to play and learn.

"I remember the first time I went in to play with the band. Tom (Tallman) had all
these really great classic jazz tunes for us to play -- things that you really want
to aspire to," Berman recalled. "Since I held myself up to this ideal, I had a hard
time doing the basic steps that could make one a complete musician. Tom was always
there to gently suggest that the listening was great, but there was a lot to be gained
through thoughtful practice, and that eventually turned me into doing a little less
listening and more playing."

With such strong mentorship, Berman transferred to Western Illinois University, earning
his bachelor's degree in social work, but continuing his study of music with more
practice and networking with other musicians.

"I was always an artist of some sort," Berman said. "In high school I was a painter,
filmmaker and photographer. I had no dreams of becoming a professional musician. When
I started, the idea was to become a musician who worked more like a visual artist.
Though I play all kinds of music, when I am practicing at home, it feels a lot like
what it was in the art studio. I am glad it has lead me to where I am now. Over the
past 20 years, music has opened up many great opportunities."

Berman's musical journey took years, but when he finally returned to Chicago after
graduating, he met a crew of like-minded musicians and quickly set to work establishing
himself as improvising musician. The gamble so many years prior paid off and today
Berman plays with 10 or more projects at venues around the city.

"There's been a lot of playing recently and it seems the last record really connected
with people. It's a slow process – city by city, show by show."

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

The Lisle location is home to the College of DuPage Foundation, Center of Entrepreneurship and WorkNet Force. College of DuPage Lisle is located in the One Corporate Lakes building at the corner of Forbes and Cabot drives, just north of Warrenville Road.

College of DuPage Naperville Center

College of DuPage Naperville Center is located on the south side of Rickert Drive. Rickert Drive is accessed by turning north from 75th Street two miles west of Washington Street. From Route 59, travel east on 75th Street to Rickert Drive and turn north.

College of DuPage Westmont Center

College of DuPage Westmont Center is located on the west side of Pasquinelli Drive. Pasquinelli Drive is accessed by turning north from Ogden Avenue one block west of Route 83. The center entrance is immediately north of the bank.